BT Group plc, Centrica plc, and Domestic & General Services Limited emerge as forerunners in designing policies and practices promoting the employment and retention of older workers.

 “Now in its second year, the AARP International Innovative Employer Award focuses global attention on the need to retain mature and experienced employees to keep a competitive edge in today’s marketplace,” said AARP Chief Operating Officer Thomas C. Nelson. “The innovative workforce practices our winners are employing today are creating the roadmap for tomorrow’s workplace.”

AARP worked on the programme with a network of international collaborating organisations whose aim is help create an effective labour market for people in mid and later life. TAEN worked with AARP to identify UK-based applicants.  AARP then chose the three winners from among the applicants.

Chris Ball, Chief Executive of TAEN, said: “Participating in this award has been a valuable experience. There are many companies that are not currently addressing the challenges of workforce ageing but there are others which have discovered a real business advantage in doing so.

“The challenge of helping workers age successfully is being taken up by leading edge companies and individuals who see the potential gains. They have responded with innovative spirit and in some cases, real panache. We strongly encourage more UK employers to step forward, apply for the 2010 awards, and be recognised for their industry-leading employment policies.”

From a pool of worldwide applicants, AARP selected 10 companies and organisations for their ground-breaking workplace policies. The 2009 winners represent four countries and a wide range of industries. The winners are:

 ·        Adecco Employment Services Limited (Adecco Canada), Toronto, Canada
Service Sector, 436 employees; 13% 50+

·        BMW, Munich, Germany
Motor Vehicles Production, 71,596 employees; 20% 50+

·        BT Group plc, London, United Kingdom
Telecommunications, 103,524 employees; 30% 50+

·        Centrica plc, Windsor, United Kingdom
Utilities, 27,338 employees; 14% 50+

·        Domestic & General Services Limited, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Insurance, 747 employees; 9% 50+

·        Housing & Development Board, Singapore
Public Sector, 4,949 employees; 34% 50+

·        National Healthcare Group, Singapore
Health Care, 9819 employees; 16% 50+

·        Royal Plaza on Scotts, Singapore
Hotels/Lodging, 393 employees; 25% 50+

·        SICK AG, Waldkirch, Germany
Industrial Equipment/Commercial Machinery, 1879 employees; 17% 50+

·        Sozial-Holding der Stadt Mönchengladbach, Mönchengladbach, Germany
Health Care, 740 employees; 35% 50+

The AARP International Innovative Employer Awards are open to all non-US-based employers.  Candidates are vetted to ensure that practices meet the needs of mature workers.  Key areas of consideration include:  recruiting practices; opportunities for training, education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, job sharing, and phased retirement; employee health and retirement benefits; and retiree work opportunities.

Besides TAEN, the following organisations with expertise on age and employment issues collaborated with AARP on the award: 50&Piú (Italy); BAGSO (Germany); CARP (Canada); Council for Third Age (Singapore); DaneAge (Denmark); DDN – The Demography Network (Germany); and The Gerontology Institute at Dortmund University (Germany).

The winning British organisations of the 2009 AARP International Innovative Employer Awards will be honoured at a reception hosted by TAEN and AARP in London on 21 September.  Present at the ceremony will be Chris Ball, CEO of TAEN and Thomas C. Nelson, Chief Operating Officer of AARP, who will present awards to the winners, and Minister of State for Pensions and the Ageing Society Angela Eagle.

Angela Eagle, Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society, said: “The Government is committed to increasing employment opportunities for older people. As we prepare to celebrate the huge contribution older people make to our society on Older People’s Day, it is timely to recognise the outstanding achievement of those employers who are already taking advantage of the wealth of skills and experience older workers have, and encourage more employers to follow their example.”

 Melanie Flogdell, Head of HR Policy at Centrica, said: “It is an honour to win an international award for our efforts to create an environment where we value our people, whatever their age. To win it for the second year running shows our approach is embedded within our organisation.”

Caroline Waters, BT’s Director of People and Policy, said: “We are delighted to receive this award and recognition; it is increasingly important that we recognise and accommodate the needs of an older workforce. We have over 30 per cent of employees aged 50 or above and the company benefits hugely from its experienced people.”

Domestic and General Nottingham HR Manager, Tracy Burrell, stated: “We are extremely pleased to pick up this award in recognition for the effort put in supporting older staff with healthy living initiatives and flexible working opportunities. Our ‘Route to Success’ programme maps out a path for career progression and develops, through training, the skills staff need to progress within the company. We are proud to offer this programme and other tools for development to staff of all ages. Our contact centre has clearly benefited from a noticeably diverse workforce.”

AARP The Magazine will feature the AARP International Innovative Employer Award in its November-December issue, available in homes 24 September 2009.  The article will also be online at www.aarpmagazine.org.

For more information about the AARP International Innovative Employer Awards including the 2010 application, please visit:  www.aarp.org/bestemployers.